Chet Spire is Valedictorian, Gerry Runde Salutatorian as NEN Graduates 15 Sunday

Chet Spire was named Valedictorian at NEN, while Gerry Runde was named Salutatorian as Northeast Nodaway graduated 15 Sunday. Graduating were MaKayla Adwell, Dylan Boulting, Maverick Price, Ilenia Ricci, Maggie Schmitz, Chet Spire, Spencer Weir, Colton Wilmes, Dakota Auffert, Brittany Burns, Tyler Randolph, Gerry Runde, Sonja Solidum, Dylan Vore, and Cheyenne Wilmes.

The Class Flower was the White Rose. The Class Motto was, “We didn’t know we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.” The Class Color was the Black and Red flannel. Class officers were Gerry Runde (President), Maggie Schmitz (Vice-President), MaKayla Adwell (Secretary), and Dakota Auffert (Treasurer).

Makayla Adwell plans to attend North Central Missouri College to study Nursing. Dakota Auffert plans to work on the family farm. Dylan Boulting plans to attend Southeast Community College to be a John Deere Technician. Brittany Burns plans to attend Central Christian College of the Bible to study Children & Family Ministry. Maverick Price plans to work on the family farm and open an auto mechanic shop. Tyler Randolph plans to attend Missouri Welding Institute. Ilenia Ricci plans to return to Italy to finish her senior year of high school before going to college. Gerry Runde plans to attend Northwest Missouri State.

Maggie Schmitz plans to work on the family farm. Sonja Solidum plans to attend Northwest Missouri State to study Pre-Veterinary. Chet Spire plans to attend Northwest Missouri State. Dylan Vore plans to attend North Central Missouri College to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. Spencer Weir plans to attend college and pursue a career in baseball. Cheyenne Wilmes plans to attend the St. Joseph Beauty University and take the Cosmetology Program. Colton Wilmes plans to attend Missouri Valley College to play football on a full ride scholarship and major in Biology.

Brittany Burns sang the Star Spangled Banner. Teacher Stacey Calfee used road signs to teach the students one last lesson about navigating life. “Make sure you don’t forget where you come from,” she said.

Salutatorian Gerry Runde said her class had become like family to her and told tales on most of her friends, such as MaKayla waking her up late at night with something funny, Dakota Auffert always having tools handy anytime you needed something, Maverick Price being willing to drop everything to help a friend, Maggie Schmitz being “one crazy cat,” Dylan Vore always seeing the good in things, Spencer Weir coming up with all these random thoughts, and Cheyenne Wilmes having a love of animals.

Valedictorian Chet Spire said that Northeast Nodaway had shaped who they were and made them better. He said there were many good times despite all the people who cut in line at lunch. “I actually got playing time despite my short size,” he said. “Never forget all the memories and relationships.”